Other Turtle Discussion :: Please help me identify this turtle hatchling

[CvalleyPalm]

Please identify this turtle hatchling that I rescued. I found it on the eastern coast of central Florida. I have been told that it is either a box turtle or an aquatic turtle. Currently I have it in a terranium fit for a box turtle, and I cannot seem to get it to eat anything on a constant basis.

[mantis]

looks like a musk turtle witch are aquatic. i could be wrong but i would guess musk or mud turtle. and i lean more to musk

[steve]

I'm leaning towards 3-striped mud, who are native to FL. Try to confirm the ID and look up it's caresheet.

This is the one for a 3-striped mud: http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/c ... ed_mud.htm

[CvalleyPalm]

Steve,
After reading the care and info sheet, I am a firm believer that you are right. I currently have it in a box turtle terranium, and does seem to like it better than being in the water, which is common in mud turtle hatchlings. I have seen it eat mini snails and crickets. I tried feeding it aquatic hatchling pellets yesterday, and for the first time he gorged on food. Do you know anyone who has any advice on mud turtle raising?

[michaelg]

I've had mud turtles before. There name explains them perfectly, especially when they are small. Mud turtles spend a lot of time borrowed in the mud, especially if they are stressed. I rescued a hatchling that made its way into the skimmer of our pool. I have no idea where it came from since the nearest lake is pretty far away. After I realized what type of turtle it was and setup his enclosure appropriately, we'd only see him once a week or maybe once every two weeks. He'd come out, eat a few pellets, roam around and them borrow back into the mud.

-Michael